The Greco-Roman wine god Bacchus had his very own Bacchanalia festival in his honor,

where sumptuous food and tantalizing wines were the order of the day. Fast forward more than 2,200 years, and some of the finest aspects of the festival have been preserved at Fountain Hills’ annual wine and food tasting fundraiser that brings together the local community to benefit the borough’s Playground and Recreation Improvement Fund.

More than 250 people attended this year’s 15th annual Bacchanalia at the Comfort Suites in South Bethlehem. They added $11,000 to the $90,000 already raised over the years for upgrades and improvements to Fountain Hill’s playground, pool and ball fields that benefit the children of Fountain Hill and neighboring communities.

Funds were used last year to repave the basketball court and walking trails around and through the playground, install new steps at the playground, repair pump and grates at the pool, replace benches around the basketball court, replace steps and miscellaneous hardware on the play equipment on the playground, buy bases for the softball field, and buy signs for the Stanley Ave and Dodson ball fields.

A total of 10 restaurants or caterers shared at least one of their signature dishes, paired with as many different wines from around the world. For the 18th year, Valley Farm Markets provided its cheese and fresh fruit selections paired with La Luca Prosecco, a sparkling Rosato wine from Italy. Other participants were Cactus Blue Mexican Restaurant, Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub, The Other Fish, The Bayou, N.T. McCarley’s Original BBQ Sauces, Hill to Hill Grille, Daisy Hill Market, Southside 313 Bar & Grille, Chad Licsko (Sodexo Executive Chef for the Bethlehem Area School District), and Pats Pizza & Bistro.

The event was organized by committee members Marita Augello, Lisa Gangewere, Jeff Ferry and Angela Sinkler. All grew up in Fountain Hill, and still live there.

Once part of the homeland of the Lenape Indians; once Moravian farmland; once a tiny village; Fountain Hill has been a small borough since 1893. Today, it is home for about 4,600 persons.